Vine Talks

Read John 11:1-44, Focus: Verses 25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

When considering things people fear most, fear of death typically rises to the top. Why? Death seems so final and so mysterious. The next I Am statement we consider is one in the context of the death of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. We will discover...

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10: 28-30

Eternal life is a gift that only Jesus gives, and we receive only by believing in Him. He is offering the opportunity to live in the presence of God for eternity; what a gift! It is clear to see how much God loves His creation, giving them such a gift, though undeserving, He gives it through...

“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So, the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10: 22-27

Is Jesus keeping you in suspense, keeping his identity and purpose hidden from you? The better question to ask yourself might be, “How have I missed it?!” The Jews in Solomon’s colonnade were confused, maybe frustrated. They wanted the truth...

“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10: 16-18

Unity under Jesus. That is what it means to be His sheep. Made one. This is a powerful, yet conflicting image, especially for those listening to Jesus’ teachings in His time on earth. Jesus came to...

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

A few weeks ago, I stopped at QT to fill my gas tank. While pumping gas, the guy in the bay across from me smiled and said, “Hi JD!” I didn’t recognize him but smiled back and said “Hello!” in order to avoid embarrassment.  After pumping gas, I went into the station...

“He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:12-13

For years, I worked for a successful company. The employees enjoyed working there, and we had a well-developed system of processes and controls to ensure the company ran efficiently. A few years after being established, however, the owner brought in

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

One of my favorite movies is Forrest Gump. In one scene, Forrest is in Vietnam, running through the jungle from enemy fire, when he realizes his best friend, Bubba, is still in danger in the woods. Forrest turns around and goes back for Bubba. But, instead of finding him, he finds...

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

This passage reminds me of the children’s story, “The Three Little Pigs.” Remember how the Big Bad Wolf threatened to “huff and puff and blow their house down?” Those little pigs were terrified! Maybe you have been there...

“… if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” John 10:9

The Bible says that Jesus’ body is the doorway, the gate that gives us access to the Father. He did not outsource the way to give us access to God. Through His death and resurrection now we can be called children of God! You are part of a family...

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.“ John 10:9

Our culture is full of options. Every day we are faced with thousands of choices from what to eat, what to wear, where to go and how to present ourselves to the world…there are so many decisions to be made!...